Dylan kicked as hard as he could at the apple tree, making it shake before dropping its apples into a basket he had laid out. It was harvest season, and Dylan was proud of himself for being able to buck trees like Applejack. Every minute spent kicking at trees was worth it. He wiped the sweat off his brow and picked up the basket full of apples before bringing it back to the farm. It was a good day to work, he thought to himself.

Applejack and Big Mac were working in the west orchard while Dylan and Applebloom took the east orchard. There may have been less apple trees in the east, but at least Dylan got to work on something. Just the chance to be out in the open was enough for him. He loved how the air was so fresh, so clean. Back home his dad's farm was next to a big factory. It would expel smoke into the air and make Dylan feel sick all the time.

Dylan put down his basket full of apples and grabbed an empty one next to the barn before turning back and walking into the east orchard. Something seemed odd to him though... he thought he could hear Applejack's voice. But that was impossible, he thought, she was in the west orchard. He shrugged and began walking deeper into the east orchard. Something, however, was strange. He heard hoofsteps.

He spotted Applebloom from far away. She was on the other side of the east orchard. There was no way he could hear her from here, he thought. His right ear began to itch, causing him to reach up and scratch it. What he felt had stunned him.

He felt fur. Not hair, but fur. He ear even felt like it was shaped differently, like it was... a pony's ear... He ran to the stream nearby the orchard as fast as he could. He had to see it for himself. It couldn't be, could it?! He was normal earlier today! He reached the stream and looked into the water, his eyes widening at the sight. His ears had changed. They were now pony ears!

-
4 Hours Later
-

"He's what?!" Applejack's eyes went wide in shock as Celestia had told them the news. The entire Apple family was gathered in the living area with Celestia standing before them.

"Dylan is undergoing a transformation," Celestia explained, "During the years Starswirl was teaching my sister and I, he had a breakthrough in his studies. He taught me how to travel to other realms. Every time we went into another realm, we were either transformed to blend in, or the other realm attempted to merge with ours. I should have told you this at first, but when I found that he hadn't turned right away, I began to think our worlds would soon merge, so I had Starswirl try to find a way back to his realm. I didn't know Dylan would change slowly over time. I am deeply sorry."

Dylan stared at the floor, thoughts racing through his head as he attempted to piece together what the princess had told them. "I'm turning into... a pony? It's no wonder why I can buck apple trees so easily. I have pony strength..."

"I'm afraid so," Celestia confirmed, "But do not worry. Starswirl will help you return to your realm."

"But," Dylan protested, "I don't want to go back! I have a family here!"

"If you stay here, you will not be able to change back unless you go home," Celestia argued.

"I don't care!" Dylan cried out. "I'd rather be a pony than go back to that hell! He'll kill me!"

"Who will kill you?" Celestia asked. Her face now shifted to a concerned look.

"His pa," Applejack answered for Dylan, "His pa killed his mother, and there's no telling what he might do if Dylan goes back."

The room went quiet. Celestia stared into the boy's eyes and saw fear. He was truly afraid to go back. "Dylan... if you stay here... are you going to be ok with what will happen?"

Dylan reluctantly nodded. He didn't care what would happen to him. He didn't want to go back to the hell he once called home. "The Apples are my family... I'd rather be like them than to be with my pa!"

"So be it, Dylan. I hope you have merry times with your new family. No matter what you were before, you will always be welcomed as one of us!" Celestia smiled and placed a hoof upon Dylan's head, being as motherly and as accepting as possible. She knew he would be happy with his family.

-
Later at night.
-

"Dylan! Get yer ass out here!" Dylan's father pounded on the door, trying to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. "We don't lock our doors, boy!"

Dylan had propped a chair against his side of the door and was shaking with fear. He couldn't let his pa see him with pony ears. "Please don't come in! I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Goddamit, boy! Let me in or I'll whip ya again!" The pounding became increasingly more violent and harder. The chair was having trouble keeping him out, creaking as the fully adult 230 lbs male slammed against the door.

Dylan cried softly to himself, rocking back and forth in bed and hugging his knees close to his chest. "P-Please! Don't come in!"

The father slammed through the door, shattering the chair into splinters and causing dust to fly everywhere. He regained his balance and took a good look at Dylan. "What are those?"

Dylan felt his ears and sobbed in response.

His pa aimed his shotgun at Dylan and asked him one question. "You know what we do to horses that ain't no good no more, now do ya?"

BANG!